In Harrison, New York, a 52-year-old White Plains, NY police officer that had just retired shot and killed 3 dogs, his two sleeping daughters, and himself. The girls were Deanna, age 13, and Alissa, age 17. The three were found dead in their family home.

In a 5- to 6-page letter left by Glen Hochman, apparently written after the killings, he describes his actions as premeditated and details a list of things his wife should do “to get things in order for the family.” He also gave a reason for his actions, though police were not being specific on what those might be.

Hochman’s wife, Anamarie DiPietro-Hochman, and the couple’s oldest daughter, Samantha, were not home at the time and escaped injury. The boyfriend of the murdered 17-year-old was the one who discovered the crime scene. He had been sent to the home at the request of Anamarie.

Glen and Anamarie were apparently having trouble in their relationship, and had discussed separating last month. The wife had filed a police report on a recent verbal dispute at the advice of a friend, according to the police chief, but there was no other history of violence, and Hochman had no known mental health problems. He had retired in January as a decorated officer after 22 years. There was also no indication he had been drinking.

“It’s difficult, especially when you see two young girls, their lives have been ripped away, brutally murdered,” says Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini. “You can’t get any rationale for that. I can’t believe this man took his daughters’ life. Even initially at the scene, we looked for other explanations, possibly because the act is just so incredibly bad. But unfortunately, I haven’t come up with any other explanations.”

Sadly, we follow cases like this all the time. It’s just another example of how people can go crazy amidst the strong emotions stirred by custody disputes or separation.

1. Steve Lieberman, “Murder-suicide shocks N.Y. town,” USA Today, Feb. 24, 2015, p. 3A